The Shepherd X

"Look for yourselves, for I did not come to judge the world, but to save it."

— John 12:47

Part I – A New Face in the Pews

It had been weeks since a new boy started attending church every Sunday. He was barely seventeen. Wore humble clothes. Had messy hair. And eyes full of questions.

His name was Mateo — an orphan since childhood, raised between orphanages and foster homes. He found the church as his last refuge.

After each service, he always stayed close to the pastor. He listened to every word like it was gold. Took notes in a worn-out notebook. And at the end, he asked questions.

"Pastor Book," he said one afternoon, "do you believe God can use anyone?"

Samuel looked at him with curiosity.

"I believe He already does. Even the broken ones."

Mateo smiled. It was a sincere smile — the kind of smile from someone searching for something to believe in.

From that day on, Mateo began appearing more often. He helped clean the church. Gave food to the poor. Read the Bible with passion.

And above all… he followed Samuel like a shadow.

Part II – Teacher and Student

In time, Samuel began spending more time with him. He taught him verses. Explained parables. Invited him for dinner after services.

"You're my example, Pastor," Mateo once told him. "I want to be like you. A man of God. One who helps others. Who preaches the truth."

Samuel felt something stir inside.

Something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Guilt.

Because Mateo didn't know that the man he admired so much… wasn't just light.

He was shadow, too.

But he couldn't push him away. Didn't want to hurt him. And deep down… maybe he needed to feel that there was still goodness in himself.

So he kept teaching. Guiding. Talking.

And Mateo kept listening. Every word. Every breath. Every long pause Samuel left between sentences.

As if sensing a weight too heavy to speak aloud.

Part III – The Shadow Follows

One night, as Samuel prepared for his nighttime mission, he noticed something unusual: his car door was open. The keys were in his pocket, but he could've sworn he'd left them somewhere else.

He shook his head. He was tired. Maybe he was just imagining things.

But that night, when he arrived at the designated place — an old abandoned factory where one of Lorenzo Marquez's men operated — he wasn't alone.

In the darkness, behind a wooden crate, Mateo watched.

He didn't understand why the Pastor was there. Or why he carried a gun under his coat. Or why he ordered the man to confess before pointing the barrel at his head.

All he knew was that the man trembled. And that Samuel showed no fear.

"Confess Jesus Christ as your Saviour," Samuel said calmly. "And die in peace."

The man wept. Said the words. Closed his eyes.

And Samuel pulled the trigger.

Mateo stepped back, horrified. His heart pounded so hard he thought it would burst from his chest.

What had he just seen?

Was this part of the ministry?

Or… was it something else?

Before he could run, he tripped. A dry crack shattered the silence.

Samuel lifted his gaze.

Their eyes met.

Part IV – The Look That Changes Everything

For a moment, neither moved.

Mateo, pale. Shaking. Tears forming in his eyes.

Samuel, motionless. As if he were staring into a mirror. As if he saw the child he once was… before becoming what he is now.

"What are you doing here?" Samuel asked softly.

"I… I just wanted to know more about you," Mateo replied, voice trembling. "I followed you. I didn't know…"

Samuel lowered the gun slowly. He took off his hood.

"You need to go," he said. "Now."

"Pastor, please!" Mateo begged. "Who are you really?"

Samuel walked toward him. Took his arm. Led him to the car.

"I'm just a man," he answered. "A man who has sinned greatly. And who tries to do the right thing… even if he no longer knows what that is."

Mateo stared at him.

"Are you saving souls… or punishing the wicked?"

Samuel didn't answer. He opened the car door.

"Get in. I'll take you home."

Mateo obeyed. He didn't speak during the drive. But he never looked away from him.

As if trying to find the man he once knew… beneath the blood he couldn't see.

Part V – The Doubt That Grows

When they reached the community house where Mateo lived, the boy opened the car door… but didn't get out.

He looked at Samuel with a new expression. Sadder. More serious.

"Have you ever… regretted what you do?"

Samuel didn't look at him.

"If I didn't… I wouldn't be human."

Mateo swallowed hard.

"Then why do you do it?"

Samuel took a deep breath. For the first time in a long while, he had no easy answer.

"Because I can't let the wicked sleep peacefully… while the good live in fear."

Mateo closed his eyes. Nodded. Then stepped out of the car.

Before shutting the door, he said:

"I wasn't scared of what I saw. I just want to understand why you do it."

And then he was gone.

Samuel sat there in silence, engine running, soul torn.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

— Matthew 5:8